Euronews

The Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister faced questions about Mossad’s alleged involvement in the killing of Palestinian militant in Dubai. Avigdor Lieberman was visiting Brussels on Monday, when he brushed off persistent journalists, saying: “I think you saw too many movies about James Bond and I prefer you to see more serious movies.”

Dubai has accused Israel of being behind the killing of Hamas commander, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. It says at least 11 Israelis entered the emirate using forged passports from Britain, Ireland, France and Germany.

Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, said: “The fact that passports of countries of the European Union were evidently misused or falsified or stolen, and then used in this particular murder is, of course, utterly unacceptable and endangers the security of citizens of the EU.”

Some in Israel are angered by what they see as European double standards. Euronews correspondent, Olaf Bruns, spoke with a Professor of Strategy Studies in Jerusalem who feels the focus should be on Hamas’s behaviour. Israim Inbar said: “This type of criticism reveals a bit of hypocrisy and I think Israel definitely deserves better understanding. Hamas is a terrorist organisation that intends to destroy the Jewish state and they are a legitimate target of Israel.”

European diplomats will not be reassured by the Israeli Foreign Minister’s attitude. The state still has not issued an outright denial in involvement in the killing.